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Recognized by the Royal Society of Chemistry as one of the ‘175 Faces of Chemistry’ both past and present, who have helped to shape chemistry and science. The recognition also highlights diversity in the chemical sciences, identifying role models, champions and ambassadors for the next generation of chemists. Others in the list include: Rosalind Franklin, Adrian V. Stokes, Alfred Nobel, Michael Faraday, Alexander Borodin and Marie Curie.
Read More: RSC 175 Faces of Chemistry - Steve Acquah
Microsoft Research has announced a $100,000 gift to Florida State University to help a Nobel laureate bring science into classrooms around the world by using the Internet.
While GEOSET is a groundbreaking educational tool for teachers, it has had an unexpected bonus. Students who have given presentations say it has led to scholarships and job offers. For example, Florida State alumna Prajna Dhar found that her GEOSET presentation led to a postdoctoral fellowship and ultimately four tenure-track job offers. “The university whose offer she has accepted commented that GEOSET indicated she could teach,” Kroto said. Another student, Artrease Spann, won a Florida Gubernatorial Scholarship and was told at her interview how much the committee enjoyed her GEOSET presentation. And chemistry doctoral student Kerry Gilmore, won a Fulbright scholarship after including his presentation link in his application.
Bill Nye “the Science Guy” unveils a new GEOSET recording studio for faculty, students and area teachers to create educational videos – science research, class projects, experiments and more – for educators around the world. The videos are recorded, edited, produced and broadcast live via Mediasite by Sonic Foundry, Inc.
Professors Thomas Albrecht-Schmitt and Hedi Mattoussi and Associate Research Professor Steve Acquah were selected this spring as fellows of the society, which recognizes unique and unparalleled contributions to the field of chemistry.
“To have three fellows elected at the same time is quite a feat and really illustrates the quality of our department here at Florida State,” said Department of Chemistry Chair Tim Logan.
Tim O'Reilly (O'Reilly Media), Chris DiBona (Google) and Timo Hannay (Nature) invited me to join them at Science Foo Camp, also known as "Sci Foo". It is an invitation-only event where the invitees come from many different areas of science. Science Foo Camp has taken place annually at the Googleplex campus in Mountain View, California.
I gave a presentation about GEOSET, describing the importance of science outreach. In attendance to the event were Bill Nye, BBC News correspondents, and the author Robert Sawyer.
Carbon nanotubes on a spider silk scaffold
Understanding the compatibility between spider silk and conducting materials is essential to advance the use of spider silk in electronic applications. Spider silk is tough, but becomes soft when exposed to water. Here we report a strong affinity of amine-functionalised multi-walled carbon nanotubes for spider silk, with coating assisted by a water and mechanical shear method. The nanotubes adhere uniformly and bond to the silk fibre surface to produce tough, custom-shaped, flexible and electrically conducting fibres after drying and contraction. The conductivity of coated silk fibres is reversibly sensitive to strain and humidity, leading to proof-of-concept sensor and actuator demonstrations.
https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms3435
The work was covered by the international press. Click on the graphics to load the articles.
Patricia Martin, a senior who conducted research in Dr. Steve Acquah’s laboratory participated in the 66th Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting in Germany. She was selected as one of 400 gifted scientists from a worldwide search.
Patricia has been working on research projects focusing on thin-film batteries and creating advanced conductive filaments for 3D printing with graphene and carbon nanotubes. She also works for GEOSET Studios, helping the university community with outreach activities, while creating a web based series on genetic disorders called Helix.
Dr. Acquah said, "Patricia has always demonstrated a passion for science and educational outreach. Her commitment to advancing the sciences is an inspiration to her peers and the next generation of women in science"
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